Spinning device



July 30, 1940.

W. R BENJAMIN SPINNING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1940 WRBen 'a min Patented July 30, 1940 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE- SPINNING DEVICE WalterR. Benjamin, Granite City, 111. Application April 25, 1940, Serial No. 331,647

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a spinning device, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind including a frame for holding a top in a manner to facilitate the spinning of the top.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind comprising a frame having means whereby it may be eifectivelyheld at the time pull is imposed upon the cord wound upon the top.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved spinning device whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a top frame constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and with a top operatively engaged therewith;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 1 with the top omitted;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in top plan of the central por tion of the top as herein disclosed.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, l denotes a base plate of desired. dimensions and which is adapted to be placed flat upon a flooror other surface. As herein disclosed, the plate I is oblong in plan and at its longitudinal center has suitably secured thereto an upstanding fiat plate 2. This plate 2 has its rear end substantially flush with the rear edge of the plate I and said plate 2 is of a length to extend a slight distance in advance of the plate I. The forward or front end portion of the plate 2 is cut away, as at 3, to provide what may be termed the upper and lower arms 4 and 5 respectively. The cut away portion 3 is of such proportions to permit the arms 4 and 5 to be of considerable length and spaced apart for a material distance.

The outer end faces of the arms 4 and 5 are provided with the aligned or opposed recesses 6 having their outer faces open and also their opposed ends. These recesses 6 provide pockets to removably receive the opposite end portions of 5 the spindle 1 to the top T. g

The top T is of a type wherein there is rigidly carried by the spindle I in close proximity to its lower or pointed end a 'flat disk-like body 8. This body 8 and spindle I are preferably integral and 10; formed from a suitable metal or metal alloy. The body 8 is also provided with suitably positioned openings 9 to assure a humming of the top while spinning. The body 8 of the top T at opposite sides of the spindle 1 and in relatively close prox- 16 imity thereto is provided with the diametrically opposed buttonhole slots ill, the restricted portions 0. of which are inwardly disposed and substantially chordal to the spindle "I.

The rear upper part of the plate 2 has rotatably secured thereto a grooved guide pulley II. This pulley II is at one side of the plate 2 and is adapted to have engaged therewith from below the operating cord C for the top T.

This cord C is of such length desired and is provided at one end with a suitable enlargement or head I2 to facilitate the pulling of the cord while the opposite end portion of the cord is knotted, as at M, to provide an enlargement which will readily pass from above through the enlarged end portion of either of the slots H] but will not pass through the restricted portion a thereof.

The portions of the plate I at opposite sides of the plate 2 are adapted to be stepped upon by the person using the device whereby the frame is effectively held in position.

After the cord C has been properly wound around the upper portion of the spindle 1 with the enlargement l4 underlying the restricted portion a of a slot ID, the top T is engaged with the frame with the extremities of the spindle 1 thereof within the recesses B. The cord C is then engaged from below with the pulley l I so that the person desiring to spin the top may give a substantially directly upward pull upon the cord C. This results in a rapid rotation of the top T and it is believed to be obvious that the arrangement in either of the slots H) is such to assure immediate disengagement of the cord C from the body 8 of the top T as the cord C is drawn from the spindle 1. After this rotation of the top T the same will jump out of the recesses or sockets 6 and will spin for a considerable period of time with a loud hum. It is to be stated that the top T may be engaged with the frame in a manner to allow the top to spin upon either end of the spindle 1 as may be preferred.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a spinning device constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A frame for a top havinga spindle and a body intermediate the ends of said spindle, a base plate, an upstanding plate carried by the base plate, said base platebeing disposed beyond opposite sides of the second plate to permit a per son to stand thereon to hold the frame, spaced elongated arms carried by the secondplate, the outer end portions of. said arms having opposed sockets, said sockets opening, through the outer end faces of the arms,.said sockets receiving the extremities of the spindle of the top.

2. A frame for a top having a spindle and a body intermediate the ends of said spindle, a base plate, an upstanding plate carried by the base plate, said base plate being disposed beyond opposite sides ofthe second plate to permit a person to stand thereon to hold the frame, spaced elongated arms carried by-thesecond plate, the

outer end portions of said arms having opposed sockets, said sockets opening through the outer end faces of the arms, said sockets receiving the extremities of the spindle of the top, and a guide pulley carried by the second plate rearwardly of the arms to be engaged by the cord for spinning the top.

3. In combination, a stand having spaced arms provided in their outer end portions with opposed sockets, said sockets also opening through the outer end faces of the arms, a top including a spindle and an intermediate substantially flat body, the extremities of the spindle being received within the sockets, the body of the top adjacent to the spindle having a buttonhole slot with the restricted portion inwardly disposed, and a pull cord for the top wrapping around the spindle, said pull cord at one extremity having a head insertible through the enlarged portion of a slot in the body of the top, said head being of a diameter to prevent the same passing through the restricted portion of the slot.

4. In combination, a stand having spaced arms provided in their outer end portions. with opposed sockets, said sockets also opening through the outer end faces of the arms, a top includinga spindle and. an intermediate substantially flat body, the extremities of the spindle being received within the sockets, the body of the top adjacent to the spindle having a buttonhole slot with the restricted portion inwardly disposed, a pull cord for the top wrapping around the spindle, said pull cord at one extremity having a head insertible through the, enlarged portion of a slot in the body of the top, said head being of a diameter to prevent the same passing through the restricted portion of the slot, and a guide member for the pull cord carried by the frame rearwardly of the spaced arms.

WALTER R. BENJAMIN. 

